How to Care for Pets on a Tight Budget

Photo credit: Bigstockphoto
Photo credit: Bigstockphoto

Some people stop themselves from having a pet because of the additional costs it takes to maintain and care for an animal. But it’s possible to have a pet even if the budget’s tight! In today’s post, we are listing down tips to reduce costs and maintain a healthy, happy furry friend:

Supervise Your Pet

For most pet owners, taking the pet to the vet makes up the most cost it takes to keep a dog or a cat. But you can reduce the chances of having to go to the vet in the first place if you keep your furry friend out of trouble. So make it a point to supervise your pet’s activities to avoid any accidents. Walk your dog on a leash, keep the animal indoors and always look out for potential injuries.

Learn how to Groom

Learn basic pet care so you don’t have to pay someone to do it for you! A dog or a cat has to be groomed every month. And grooming can be expensive especially if done regularly. You can cut costs by learning how to groom your pet yourself. We recommend searching YouTube for step-by-step tutorials and investing on quality grooming tools. Apart from grooming the pet, learn how to clean your furry friend’s ears and teeth. Clean their paws and trim their nails.

Bartering for Services

Did you know you could exchange pet services for something else – such as dog walking, house cleaning, etc.? If you are short on cash, offer your friends and loved ones services in exchange for pet care or vet visits.

Get High-Quality Pet Food

For pet owners who are working on a tight budget, high-quality pet foods mean extra costs. But when you think about it, keeping your pet healthy is a great investment. A healthy pet does not require frequent vet visits. You can either buy high-quality foods from your local pet store or whip up inexpensive pet treats using quality ingredients. You can always search online for recipes.

Keep Your Pet Active

An active pet is a fit, healthy pet! You can promote exercise by spending as much playtime as you can with your furry friend. When your pet is active, you will save hundreds of dollars on vet bills. There is no need to buy pet toys just to keep your pets busy. Take your dog out to a walk, cuddle with him and play fetch. For cats, you can make several cat toys using cardboard boxes.

Holistic Approach to Pet Health

Vaccination is an important part of maintaining a healthy pet. Vaccination helps protect the animal from common diseases as well as chronic conditions that are potentially fatal. But if your budget does not allow for monthly or yearly shots, look for holistic ways to care for your pet and avoid vaccination.

Save up for Medical Emergencies

A tight budget is not an excuse to not have funds for emergencies. Animals are unpredictable and there will be times when you have to take your pet to the vet no matter how much you try to care for your furry friend. As long as you save up, these emergencies will make little impact to your overall budget.